EU referendum: former Polish foreign minister Radek Sikorski says benefit tourism is propaganda while mayor of London Boris Johnson pushes for UK opt-out from EU open borders December 14, 2015 Former Polish foreign minister Radek Sikorski hit out at the British government’s proposals to curb welfare benefits for European migrants today, telling an audience in London that so-called benefits tourism is “propaganda”. “This issue of benefits tourism has been set up in the public domain,” he said. “The figures don’t confirm it. “We had 300,000 [...]
Labour and Lib Dem peers could force a vote to defeat government on “reverse burden of proof” in Senior Managers Regime December 14, 2015 Labour and Lib Dem peers could force a vote tomorrow to reject the government’s plans to abandon the so-called reverse burden of proof in new financial regulation. The Treasury had originally proposed a “guilty until proven innocent” burden on executives scrutinised under the new Senior Managers & Certification regime, which is set to go into effect [...]
Number 10 refuses to deny reports that is considering nationalising Rolls-Royce December 14, 2015 Downing Street fuelled speculation that the government is considering taking part of Rolls-Royce back into public ownership today when the Prime Minister’s official spokeswoman refused to deny reports about a possible nationalisation. When asked about a report in the Financial Times that ministers were considering nationalising the nuclear submarine business of the manufacturing giant, the [...]
Is Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn right – when it comes to kickstarting the economy, is it time for a people’s QE? December 14, 2015 This is a big week for capitalism. In the next few days, the US Federal Reserve will finally start to remove its accommodative post-2008 crisis policy by pulling money out of markets. With asset markets buoyant and the American jobs market seemingly strong, policy-makers should be surely saying ‘job well done’? But, on the ground, [...]
EU referendum: Immigration row brews ahead of key UK-EU talks December 14, 2015 Pressure is mounting on Prime Minister David Cameron ahead of a crucial two-day meeting with European leaders this week. Cameron’s efforts to reform Britain’s relationship with the European Union are expected to come into sharp focus in Brussels on Thursday at the European Council, where leaders from all 28 member states are scheduled to discuss the reform [...]
Meet Peter Whittle, the Brexiteer bidding to win City Hall December 14, 2015 An openly gay arts enthusiast who has been a television producer, film critic and, most recently, director of the New Culture Forum think tank, Peter Whittle is often asked why he decided to become a Ukip politician. When he answers, Whittle usually has just two words: Nigel Farage. Speaking to City A.M. last week, Whittle says [...]
France election 2015: Exit polls show Marine Le Pen’s far-right Front National fails to win a single region December 13, 2015 France’s far-right party Front National has failed to win a single region in the second round of regional elections held in the country today in a surprise u-turn. The first round of the vote showed the party, led by Marine Le Pen, taking the lead in several regions, with voters flocking to it in the [...]
COP21 Paris climate summit: UK business welcomes landmark climate change agreement as an “exciting opportunity” December 13, 2015 UK business welcomed the landmark climate deal in Paris, with the CBI describing the outcome of the Paris talks as an “exciting opportunity for business”. The first universal agreement on climate change was finally reached this weekend, following weeks of negotiations and extended deadlines. 195 nations committed to cutting emissions in a deal calling for [...]
Japan’s super fast bullet trains will soon be in India after $12bn deal agreed between Shinzo Abe and Narendra Modi December 13, 2015 Japan 's famous bullet trains, which can hit speeds of more than 200 mph and put most of the rest of the world's transport to shame, will soon make travelling in India a lot faster after a deal was struck between the two countries. On a visit to India, Japan's premier Shinzo Abe agreed a deal with his [...]
Russia “fired warning shots” at Turkey in near miss collision between ships in Aegean Sea December 13, 2015 Russia "fired warning shots" at Turkey, the country's defence ministry said on Sunday, after two ships came within 500 metres of each other in the Aegean Sea. A destroyer warship named Smetlivy was forced to fire warning shots at a Turkish vessel when it could not be contacted, in order to avoid a collision. According to the Interfax [...]